In light of the new step in Smith's career, here are ten amazing facts about the man.

1. Contrary to popular belief, Mr Smith was not regenerated in 2009, he was born on October 28, 1982 in Northampton, Northamptonshire, England. He grew up with one sister and was head boy at Northampton School for Boys. After excelling at music, sports and drama, at aged 18 he moved to Norwich to study drama and creative writing at the University of East Anglia.

2. Originally, the Blackburn Rovers fan considered becoming a professional footballer. He played for Northampton Town Under-11s and 12s, Nottingham Forest Under-12s, 13s and 14s, then Leicester City Under-15 and 16s before back condition spondylosis forced him to pursue a different career path.

3. Smith's drama teacher suggested that he take part in a school production of Twelve Angry Men, leading the future Doctor to join the National Youth Theatre in London, starring in his first stage roles in Murder in the Cathedral and The Master and Margarita. His work at the theatre earned him both an agent and his first professional job before graduation.

4. Smith's on-stage career continued in Fresh Kills and On the Shore of the Wide World, which transferred to the Royal National Theatre in London. After appearing in Alan Bennett's The History Boys, Smith moved to the West End, starring alongside Christian Slater in Swimming with Sharks.

5. After performing in the critically acclaimed Polly Stenham play That Face at London's Royal Court Theatre with Lindsay Duncan, he was awarded the Evening Standard 'Best Newcomer' Award and nominated alongside all the cast for a 2008 Laurence Olivier Award for 'Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre'.

6. His TV debut was playing Jim Taylor in 2006's The Ruby in the Smoke opposite another Doctor Who star Billie Piper, directed by Brian Percival (known for winning a Primetime Emmy for directing Downtown Abbey). He also appeared in an extremely violent deleted flashback scene in cult 2008 movie In Bruges.

7. At 27, he was cast in the revived Doctor Who series. He was the youngest actor to play the Doctor, beating Peter Davison, who was 29 at the time of his casting in 1981.

8. Smith insisted that the Doctor wear his trademark bow tie. It may prove difficult to insist on using particular trademarks of a certain Mr Bateman, however.

9. Before Benedict Cumberbatch was cast in Sherlock, Smith auditioned for sidekick John Watson, but was passed on for being too eccentric.

10. Smith is well known for being very clumsy, even causing producers to take bets on how long it takes before props are broken!